SBI MLS Best XI of the Month (March)

The Columbus Crew enjoyed a perfect 3-0 month of March and they landed one player on the SBI MLS Best XI of the Month for March for each win they registered.

SBI MLS Player of the Week Federico Higuain leads a group of Crew players that includes Michael Parkhurst and young midfielder Wil Trapp.

Americans dominated the first month’s Best XI, with a total of eight domestic players making the list. Of those eight, only FC Dallas central defender Matt Hedges doesn’t have either a U.S. Men’s Nationa Team cap or experience with U.S. youth national teams.

Pretty simple. The team is selected based on their performance in MLS matches, and while he did have a monster game against RSL in the opening game, his body of work over the three MLS matches in March wasn’t quite enough to get him in. I know he’s been a rare bright spot in a pretty disappointing month for San Jose, but his March wasn’t all that big.

Yedlin’s been getting beat more than last year and he hasn’t had Rosales to work with on the right side so I think he’s taken a step back. Remick has been pretty solid for technically a rookie and has been much better defensively. People don’t know he’s faster than Yedlin but just not as quick. He’s had much better delivery on his long balls and crosses than Yedlin but some of his short passing hasn’t been that great.

But I think we’re going to need a lot more data before we can conclude who is better. Please also look up:

1. how often the two backs pulled defenders out of position on their runs, and how they timed it,

2. how well they marked to prevent opponents from even considering making a pass down their wing,

3. how well they supported the centerbacks and mids so they could go in a make tackles,

4. how often they sent a good cross but Martins et al got outpositioned by opposing defenders,

5. how their correct positioning influenced the movement of Seattle midfielders (i.e., did their teammates feel safe pushing forward or tucking in, knowing that the backs would properly cover the wing?)

6. etc etc.

I know that looks like a lot of work digging all that out, but I’m sure you can do it. And clearly you wouldn’t allow anyone to state an impression—not even yourself, right?—without having ALL the facts. Thanks!

DeAndre Yedlin is better than Dylan Remick. It’s pretty clear to everyone but you. There’s a reason one is in contention for a World Cup spot at 20 and the other is a second string MLS LB at 23. I like Remick a lot, but either you’re related to him or watch games with Brown colored shades on.

“There’s a reason one is in contention for a World Cup spot at 20 and the other is a second string MLS LB at 23.”

Only one reason? You sure? Wouldn’t have anything to do with the Sounders’ already having Leo Gonzalez at LB, while Yedlin only had to dislodge Zach Scott? Or Yedlin being a home-grown player? Wouldn’t have something to do with the USMNT desperately trying a half dozen players at RB (only to see them get injured)?

Also, note that saying “I think X played better than Y in the first four matches” is not the same as saying, “X is better than Y and Y should be fired!” Look, I get it: people like you and me admire Yedlin and get tired of doubters who dismiss him all the time. But I think you’re being overly protective.

BTW- when someone uses facts, it’s then your responsibility to refute those facts or present your own, not request more from them. Do an in depth analysis of all the positional issues Yedlin has then get back to me. My guess is you won’t, because he doesn’t have any, but I’ll be waiting with baited breath.

Sorry that I’m shirking my “responsibility” to respond to your cherry-picked fact-based argument by playing by your rules. Then again, maybe I’m just sad that you missed the obvious point: there are a lot of ways that a player contributes that can be noticed but not easily quantified.

Stats don’t tell the story of a goalkeeper. Rimando had a monster first game, but Robles has made outstanding saves in every game for the Red Bulls, and is a key reason they have the points they currently have. It was a toss-up, and Robles got the nod. It was close, could have gone either way, but Robles was the pick.

Good selections Ives, but how about Pedro Morales? I thought he has been brilliant for Vancouver and has been the focal point of their surprising start. I think Plata has had a great start to the season, but if these were my selections I think he would be the one I’d replace.

Plata looked like he had the goods from the get, but he’s small so sometimes I wonder if he just got overlooked by teams preferring size over skill. Especially my team, which somehow loves bringing in Toronto FC players otherwise.

Really appreciate when people actually use a common formation for the league they are making a best XI for so congrats on that. Nobody in MLS uses 3 at the back yet sites will use that formation for TOTW, makes no sense.

As a union fan, Mo, Ray, Amobi, and Vincent all deserve there spots on the list. From what I saw this month Leo Fernandes is right up there with them. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Leo makih these kinds of lists as soon as he can get a hold of a starting spot.